Mumbai joins global flower trade map

MUMBAI: Mumbai���s first flower auction centre, that promises to place the financial capital on international flower trade map, is complete and ready for inauguration.

The new centre will provide flower growers from south Gujarat and Maharashtra, a state of the art platform to trade range of flowers including ��� rose, chrysanthemum, marigold, jasmine, astergladious, zinnia, lilies, gerberas and carnation. As reported by ET, first daily operations at the centre will be on digital and e-system to be interlinked to other markets in Bangalore and Delhi. The auction house provides for two auctions for 56 buyers to bid for both auctions and is expandable to 112 participants in this procedure.

According to Amar Pandey, project in charge for this centre, the centre will make a whole lot of difference to ways flowers are traded now. ���At present all flowers are auctioned in Dadar market which is most unhygienic place. Once the centre begins its operations flower stocks will come here. The centre offers facilities no commodity ever has enjoyed in the country,��� he claimed.

The centre will have storage capacity of 14 lakh flower stems per day. It is expected to attain its capacity within three years of its operation. First year it will run with 60% capacity. The buyers will get exact quality and quantity of flowers and growers will get the best price. The centre also has 17 shops for retail shopping, cold storage facilities and separate lobby only for visitors.

Jointly developed by Maharashtra Agro Industry Corporation (MAIDC) and the Agriculture Produce Export Development Authority (APEDA) at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 25 crore, the centre is expected to contribute significantly for the growth of the flower market.

Talking to ET MAIDC managing director Pradeep Vyas said, ���Objective of this centre is growth of flower industry through better farming and storage practices, marketing and other logistics related areas. The development will also enhance the foreign exchange earnings.���

It will boost the state���s progressive horticulture sector too. The area under floriculture in Maharashtra is 14,929 hectares under open cultivation and 259 hectares in green house. The flower production in open field is 79,804 tonnes and in green house it is 541,690 stems.

(This article was originally published in The Times of India)

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